Current Affairs

August 26, 2013

Former Senator Paul Bookout and questionable financial records are the talk of the town this week. As you probably know by now, Bookout got in trouble for using campaign funds for personal use like women's clothing and a home entertainment center. Now, he has resigned his job with St. Bernards, his state senate seat and is promising to repay the money. While this seemed to play out quickly in the public eye, this situation brewed for months behind the scenes and I'm thankful Bookout decided to take quick action once things were brought out in the open.
The word I have heard most often associated with this situation is disappointment.
The voters are disappointed in Paul Bookout and that is an appropriate reaction.
But now it's time to move on. Let's get a new person in that office. Someone we don't have to question about how they spend their money. Let's put this disappointing period behind us and make a good decision going forward. Finding the right person to represent us will make this A Better Region 8.

August 21, 2013

I had to do a double take last week when I heard the Bay School Board voted unanimously to buy a house for the school superintendent.
Really?
They say it's a recruiting tool. I guess so. Who wouldn't take the job if they got to live in a house for free?
I do know this practice was common many years ago in smaller, rural school districts.
That time, along with one room schools however, has come and gone.
Superintendent Chip Layne told the board members that while he thinks superintendent housing is a good idea for the district, he is not interested.
Layne said he cares more about his family and students than a house and it's quote, a "dead issue" for him, but the school board can revisit the plan.
Parents protested and I sure hope the school board members heard them.
In this day and time when teachers often have to buy their own supplies and children come to school hungry at times -- is it the best message to spend tax payer money on housing for the superintendent?
I have to go with the parents on this one. The Bay School System needs to put that money back where it belongs -- directly to the benefit of the children.
That will make this a Better Region 8.

Recent stories reported on Region 8 News have caused me great concern for the children in our community.
First, the Jonesboro Police Department received reports from neighbors on Olive Street that a suspicious man was trying to lure young girls into his vehicle by using the do you want to see my puppy line.
Then last week, a 9 year old child was in a vehicle that was stolen in Jonesboro.
The truck was abandoned and the child was inside and safe.
The suspect has now been caught.
These incidents reminded me of how important it is for KAIT to hold Operation Kidsafe every year.
This past weekend, we photographed and finger printed more than one thousand Region 8 children.
That means the parents and family members have immediate information to give the authorities if heaven forbid they are ever taken against their will.
Even if you weren't able to make it out this weekend, it's never too late to teach your children about the dangers of abduction, especially abductions by family members since those are more common.
Taking that extra time to teach your children about these dangers always makes this a better region 8.

July 22, 2013

There's a proposal on the table to rename part of Stadium Boulevard as Red Wolf Boulevard. This is similar to a lot of other cities like Rebel Boulevard for Ole Miss and Razorback Road for the University of Arkansas. I think this is a terrific idea and just one more way we as a community can show our support and pride for Arkansas State University. I've looked into the change and it just seems like a win-win to me. Here are a couple of reasons why I support this plan: The impact on businesses on Stadium appears to be minimal. The post office would recognize both addresses for several years after the change. Changing the name and adding signage on Highway 63 and other roadways will send a strong message to visitors that we are aligned with A-State. Any banners or signs promoting the change would be paid for by A-State, not the city, and will not cost Jonesboro tax payers a dime! Anything we can do to support A-State and build up this major employer and force in our community will make this A Better Region 8.

July 01, 2013

There was an unbelievable sight in one Region 8 neighborhood this weekend. More than 80 cats were rescued and about 100 cats have been spotted in this one neighborhood. The Northeast Arkansans for Animals organization rescued the animals and are doing what they can to take this neighborhood back from the cats. Wanda Turner with NAFA told Region 8 News this problem can start innocently enough. Someone put food out for the stray cats and in no time 5 cats turned into 50. She says there is also an issue where people move away and leave the cats behind, they then multiple and soon swarm a neighborhood. And then some people just dump the cats which is against the law. NAFA is doing what it can to clear up the stray cat problem, but they need your help. If you have a cat, take care of your cat. Get your pet spayed or neutered. Do not leave food out for stray cats and *never* abandon or dump an animal. Taking care of our furry friends will clean up our neighborhoods and make this A Better Region 8.

No doubt you have seen and heard plenty about Paula Deen and her admission that she has used derogatory terms in her life. This confession has and will cost her plenty. And I'm sure we could spend hours debating whether she should have been fired from the Food Network and lost other endorsements because of this admission. But I'm not here to debate that. The bottom line is, it's wrong. Any time someone uses a derogatory word or phrase to describe another human being, it's just plain wrong. You may have heard these terms used in rap songs and other forms of music or art, but again it's wrong. What purpose does it serve to demean another person? As my mother would say, nothing good can come from that. Let this serve as a lesson to all of us, don't put other people down, don't use words or phrases to demean another person. Keeping our harmful words to ourselves will make this A Better Region 8.

June 17, 2013

There are silent heroes in our midst. That's what I thought of last week when I heard about the untimely death of Jonesboro resident Warren H. Moore. Moore drowned in Gulf Shores trying to save a woman who was caught in a rip current in the ocean. I listened as Moore's former pastor, Jimmy Young of Nettleton Church of Christ, shared his memories about this amazing man. He said Moore was a quiet, humble man who was well respected and highly thought of. Young said Moore was a gem of a person, a great family man and cared so much for his wife and children. Young said Moore taught him that meekness was a real treasure. And he was not surprised that Moore laid down his life to save someone else. In this day and time when so many of us are focused on ourselves and our own problems, Moore's act of selflessness really made me take a look at my own life. My hope is you will as well. Maybe we should spend more time paying attention to the humble in our midst. I suspect if we did that we would make this A Better Region 8.

June 03, 2013

Public officials are often criticized for either not doing enough or doing too much, but this time around I can applaud one of our public servants for getting it right. Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington announced he would not file charges against Tiffany Smith. You may remember Smith is the mom who was arrested after leaving her children home alone to work the third shift at her job. While she left her 11-year-old in charge, police and the Department of Human Services said he was too young to care for his siblings. Ellington said two things weighed heavily in making the decision. First, he understood if Smith had been convicted in the case, she would be fired. Second, D-H-S will continue to work with the family. I believe this is the best outcome in a difficult situation. It was terrific to see Smith on Region 8 News smiling and thankful for this development in her case and for the support of new friends she has made since all this happened. Thank you to everyone who reached out to Smith and offered help. Helping the right people in a tight spot makes this A Better Region 8.

May 24, 2013

The devastation and destruction we have been seeing from our neighbors in Oklahoma has been almost too much to comprehend. The loss of life especially those young children in their elementary school is a reminder that nature's fury does not discriminate. Those of us who call Region 8 home know all too well how destructive tornadoes can be. Many of you have lived through horrible storms like these. With that in mind, the survivors need our help. That's why we are asking you to give if you possibly can to the American Red Cross by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting red cross dot org. You can also make a 10 dollar donation by texting RED CROSS to 9-0-9-9-9. Remember text messaging rates may apply. In addition, Region 8 News will take part in a campaign to raise money for the impacted people in Oklahoma. Watch Region 8 News all day Thursday and learn more about how you can help those hurt by these monster storms. Help Oklahoma and make this A Better Region 8.

May 20, 2013

I had a wonderful experience last week as part of the convoy that welcomed home the soldiers of the 1039th Engineer Company. 100 soldiers from the Arkansas National Guard have spent the past 9 months in Afghanistan. They have been conducting some of the most dangerous work that needed to be done in that war zone. These soldiers were responsible for locating improvised explosive devices. But now that work is behind them and they are home. Home to their families. Some of these soldiers even met their children for the first time. You can imagine the atmosphere at the homecoming celebration was filled with emotion. As this war has drug on over the years, it has become easy to forget there are many men and women still serving in Afghanistan and other dangerous parts of the world. This week I ask you to salute the members of the 1039th and always remember those still serving. Supporting our troops will make this A Better Region 8.